Thornbury High Street has undergone numerous changes in the last year. Here we take a look at its history.

Thornbury was granted its town charter in 1252, and the town grew around the site of its cattle market.

Gazette Series: Photo: Thornbury RootsPhoto: Thornbury Roots

The market was held in the high street before moving in 1911 - but a new twice-monthly market was approved for the high street last year.

Other trades flourished alongside the market, and there was even a pony and trap rental.

Gazette Series: Photo: Thornbury RootsPhoto: Thornbury Roots

A post-war shift in shopping habits changed how high streets across the country looked, with manufacturers being replaced with service providers.

The St Mary Centre opened in 1984, with part of the high street having been demolished to make way.

But the high street still remains the town's focal point for shopping, socialising and special events.

Gazette Series: The Band and Bugles of the Rifles marching up Thornbury High Street in 2015The Band and Bugles of the Rifles marching up Thornbury High Street in 2015

And while recognisable brands such as Costa Coffee and Domino's Pizza are now present on the high street, independent shops such as Riddifords and Hawkins continue to serve customers as they have done for the last century.

It is the owners of these shops who have made the noisiest opposition the pedestrianisation of the high street.

South Gloucestershire Council used emergency powers to close the road to traffic in June 2020, citing the need to provide more space to support social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic.

Gazette Series: The pedestrianised high streetThe pedestrianised high street

A six-month consultation closed at the end of January, but a decision on whether this latest change becomes permanent has yet to be made.

Gazette Series: How Thornbury High Street could look in the futureHow Thornbury High Street could look in the future

Historic photos courtesy of Thornbury Roots and Thornbury Museum.

View more historic photos of Thornbury High Street in the gallery at the top of this article and at thornburyroots.co.uk